Kentucky couple set to appear in court in 4-year-old’s death

Prosecutors seek death penalty in case involving niece's murder

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A Southern Kentucky couple charged in the death of a 4-year-old is set to appear in court this afternoon.

According to court records, Adam Hayes and his girlfriend, Brittany Slaughter, face multiple charges, including murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and child abuse.

Investigators said Hayes and Slaughter had custody of Slaughter’s niece, 4-year-old Chloe Darnell, when she was reported missing last year. The Whitley County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies found Darnell’s body buried near a cemetery in November 2023.

Prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty for Hayes. Hayes and Slaughter are scheduled to appear in court today at 1 p.m. for an arraignment and pretrial conference.